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Firefighter Salary in Nashville, Tennessee

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$61,205/ year

Median Firefighter in Nashville, TN

$37,023
10th
$45,150
25th
$61,205
Median
$80,851
75th
$98,638
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$61,205
Total compensation (est.)
$70,386
Bonus range
$2,150 – $9,240
Mean salary
$64,877

How This Compares

Nashville, TN median
$61,205
Tennessee median
$59,456+2.9%
National median
$58,290+5.0%

Cost of living in Nashville is 5% above the national average. Salary of $61,205 here is equivalent to $58,290 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$44,068-28.0%
3-5 years
$55,697-9.0%
6-10 years
$68,550+12.0%
10+ years
$84,463+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$53,860-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$61,205
Enterprise (5,000+)
$72,222+18.0%

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Firefighter Salaries in Nearby Cities

Memphis, TN$47,215/yr
Knoxville, TN$58,290/yr
Chattanooga, TN$58,290/yr
Clarksville, TN$58,290/yr

Related Jobs in Nashville

Police Officer$70,655/yr
Correctional Officer$52,091/yr
Security Guard$37,622/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$29/hr
Monthly gross$5,100/mo
25th percentile$45,150/yr
75th percentile$80,851/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Tennessee Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.6%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Firefighter Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Firefighter salary in Nashville?

The median Firefighter salary in Nashville is $61,205 per year, with a range from $45,150 at the 25th percentile to $80,851 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Firefighter pay in Nashville compare to the national average?

Firefighter salaries in Nashville are 5% above the national median of $58,290. After adjusting for Nashville's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $58,290 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Firefighter salaries in Nashville?

In Nashville, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Firefighter roles start around $37,023, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $98,638 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Nashville a good place for Firefighter jobs?

Nashville offers a Firefighter median of $61,205, which is 5% above the US median of $58,290. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Nashville is 5% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Firefighter salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Firefighter in Nashville is $80,851, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.